HERSILIA
German s/s HERSILIA, imo 5601659/ 94m/ 2.028gt/ 9kn; 11/1901 completed by Akt. Ges. Neptun, Rostock, for Dampschiffs Rhederei Akt. Ges., Horn Linie, Lubeck: 15/11/1911 when coming from Emden with a full cargo of 3.250 tons of coal, via Leixões, where left 900 tons, while entering de Douro bar assisted by tug MINHO, due some swell and contrary strong river stream, she steered to starboard and was aground in a sand bank, in the meantime engine failed. Tug AGUIA trying to refloat the HERSILIA, without any success, meanwhile the situation deteriorated for the crew, because the swell was increasing and they came ashore by save-line, including the pilot, my great-uncle. Some days after two salvage tugs, the German NEWA and the Spanish FINISTERRE had tried save the HERSILIA, but no success, although sometimes she moved from place to place, meanwhile she was abandoned as constructive total loss, and later she was dismantled by sea action.
Photographer: unknown collection F. Cabral, Oporto. |
Rui Amaro
